Garbage/Recycle Storage Box
Cover up those ugly garbage and recycle bins with a storage box! Since we don't have an attached garage, our bins sit on our side porch and... it looks like garbage. I wanted something to cover them up that was simple, but also matched our house.
This tutorial is perfect for you if you're looking to cover something up along your house: propane tank, air conditioning unit, hoses, or other eye sores!
Best privacy fence
Supplies & Tools
This is the side of our porch and what you see when you pull in the driveway. Ew! I can't believe that I didn't cover these up sooner.
Supplies for this project:
- 2x2x8 lumber (x2)
- 1x3x8 lumber (x4)
- 4x8 sheet of lattice/trellis
- Hinges (2 pack)
- Hook & eye
Tools for this project:
- Mitre saw and/or skill saw
- Brad nailer and/or screw driver
- Pocket hole jig
- Paint or stain
Lumber
Your cuts for this project will depend on the size you need your box to be. My box is going to be 4' tall, 4' wide, and 2' deep. I picked this size because it will use exactly one sheet of the white lattice (and obviously big enough to cover my bins).
Cuts:
- 2x2's: 4 @ 4' (posts)
- 1X3's: 2 @ 4' (gate frame top and bottom), 2 @ 41" (gate frame sides), 4 @ 24" (side panels top and bottom), 2 @ 51" (rear braces)
White privacy lattice
Cuts: 4'x4', 2'x4', 2'x4'
Hardware
I really liked the matte black hardware for a "farmhouse" look!
Paint
Once your lumber is cut, paint or stain the colour of your choice. I'm doing white to match the white lattice.
Frame
First, I made the front frame which will be the gate/door. I wanted this to sit a few inches off the ground, so the finished size should be 4' wide and 45 1/2" tall.
I made two pocket holes in the top and bottom pieces of wood to screw into the side pieces.
Front frame/gate
Here's my gate frame done and with the hardware attached. (Don't mind my basement walls... this is my workshop space when it's a little too cold in the garage!)
Side frames
Attach the 4 pieces of 24" 1x3's to the 4 posts (2x2's) to make the side panels. I attached the bottom piece about 2" off the ground to match the gate which will also sit slightly off the ground.
Attach the lattice
Your 4'x4' piece of lattice will have to be trimmed by about 3" to accommodate for the gate being slightly less than 4' tall. Your two 2'x4' pieces should also be trimmed if your side panels do not go all the way to the ground.
The lattice cuts easily with a jig saw and will attach easily to the back side of your panels/gate with a brad nailer. I used 5/8" brad nails along the entire lattice.
Attach panels together
Here are the finished panels! I brought these outside on the porch to put together.
Attach your gate to the one side panel using the hinge hardware. The tops should all the flush. Your other side panel will attach to the opposite side using your 2 51" 1x3's (you may also use a different lumber for this, depending on how big your box is and how much it needs to be braced).
I screwed in the 2 rear braces into the middle and bottom of the back posts. These braces also got screwed into the siding of the house to stay in place.
Attach your hook and eye to the gate and side post.
Done!
Enjoy your cleaned up porch, garden, or whatever it is you wanted to cover up! I think our dog, Sierra, is enjoying it too :)
For more ideas and ongoing projects, follow along on Instagram and Facebook!
Insta: @farmhouse.ongunnshill
Facebook: Lauren Ann Design
~Lauren
Enjoyed the project?
Resources for this project:
See all materialsComments
Join the conversation
-
Carole Petronic McGuire on Feb 07, 2023
I don't know anyone who keeps their garbage/recycling cans on their porch.
-
Catherine Hays on Feb 07, 2023
It looks like a side porch, we lived in an Farm house that had a side porch beside the driveway and there was a door right off of the kitchen. It was an awesome place to keep our Bins. Don't be so judgmental. It's obviously not her front porch. geesh.
-
-
-
Pamela Marshall on Feb 07, 2023
I see garbage and recycling cans on porches all the time and they are an eyesore!
Great project.
-
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Great idea on the trash can camouflage. Beautiful dog. Any way to lift the left side of your step to make it even?
I love this idea to cover up unpleasant sights. Your GSD is beautiful! Only those who own or have owned black GSDs understand how different they are to the common black and tans. I've owned both. Black GSD's are the best!!
Why?